North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, and Councilmembers Dennis Walsh and Edward Scott, were joined by Long Island Builders Institute CEO Michael Florio and the Association for a Better Long Island’s Executive Director Kyle Strober to announce the launch of the Town’s new OpenGov software program.
OpenGov is a cloud-based government software platform designed to improve efficiency and modernize public service. The initiative follows DeSena’s request that Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips conduct an independent audit of the Building Department, underscoring the commitment to accountability and meaningful operational change.
The audit revealed longstanding operational deficiencies and confirmed that the town’s previous software system was never properly implemented or equipped to meet the town’s needs. In 2020, the prior administration purchased only a portion of the platform in an effort to digitize services during the pandemic. The incomplete system could not support a town-wide transition to digital records, and instead of modernizing operations, created a fragmented process that erected a digital barrier between residents and their government, contributing to significant delays.
“Our buildings department has made tremendous strides in efficiency this past year, and this marks the highpoint of that progress,” DeSena said. “Our team has put in hours of online and in-person training to successfully implement OpenGov, and I’m excited to make life easier for both our residents and colleagues.”
“OpenGov has transformed governments across Long Island, and I’m thrilled that Supervisor DeSena is bringing it to North Hempstead,” Florio added. “It’s easy to use, it’s fast-acting, and it will help the buildings department continue to run an extremely efficient operation… that’s a win for everyone.”
The program features a user-friendly, intuitive interface and is widely used by local and New York State municipalities, which enables collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions. It will also allow Building Department inspectors full remote access to records, a critical time-saving function that will significantly reduce previous delays and improve workflow efficiency.
“The investment in technology by municipal governments has become as important as the rehabilitation of parks and roads because it strengthens the ability to protect our region’s quality of life,” Strober said. “The software launch will improve efficiency, promote transparency, spur economic development, and enhance residents’ quality of life. The ABLI applauds Supervisor Jen DeSena and the Town Board for their commitment to leveraging technology on behalf of economic development and North Hempstead residents.”
The North Hempstead Building Department is located at 210 Plandome Road in Manhasset. Residents can call the department’s new Help Desk at (516) 869-7660 or dial 311.